So why should you purchase from their store on Amazon instead of their site? Let’s take a look at a few reasons you should consider Amazon:

Feedback

If you have read online reviews, you already know that Beach Camera is a very reputable seller. Beach Camera also has a very high reputation on Amazon. Currently, they have a 95% positive score, and have received about 310,000 positive feedback ratings. Over the past 12 months, they have had a 96% positive transaction rate.

Price and Shipping

Many web merchants also sell on Amazon. Their prices are usually the same, if not lower on Amazon. Shipping is almost always free too.

Let’s look at an example:

On the beachcamera.com website, you can purchase this Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II Digital Camera for $679. Depending on where you live, you can add another $15-20 on top of that for shipping.

Pricing aside, you are still saving about $15-20 on the shipping. That’s like having a 5% off coupon code right?

I showed one price example. You might be looking for a different item. If so, it’s really easy to find the best deal on Amazon. Just use the Amazon Discount Finder tool that appears at the top of this page. It looks something like this:

After you choose your desired country, click on the All Categories section, and in this case, choose Photo.

Then just type in whatever brand and model that you are looking for. You can choose your desired discount level if you wish to, but it’s not necessary. Then click on Search Discount. It should then bring up all of the models available, and at the top of the list will be those with the highest discount currently available on Amazon.

On a related side note, you’d be surprised by the amount of sellers/websites that sell their products for less on Amazon. With all the competition on Amazon, stores have to offer up their best price, in order to get the sale. They don’t have to be so generous on their own site, since you only see their price. Often times, a discount code will bring the cost down to the Amazon price.

Returns

If you purchase from beachcamera.com, the return/exchange guarantee period is a standard 45-days from receipt of delivery. This comes with certain restrictions and limitations.

On Amazon, you get the A-to-z Guarantee when purchasing from a 3rd party seller, regardless of their return policy. You are entitled to a 30 day period – from the date you receive the item – to file your claim. It really does take the risk out of purchasing online, and makes you feel secure with your purchase. If you ever have any issues with your order, Amazon’s 24/7 customer service is there to help you.

If you have ever had to file a claim with your credit card company, or waited months for a refund on a return, you will appreciate Amazon’s A-to-z Guarantee.

Product Availability

You would think that the products available would be identical in both locations – but they aren’t. They have some products in their Amazon store that are actually not available on their own website.

For example, let’s say you’re looking for a Olympus TG-5 Waterproof Camera. You’ll have to go their Amazon store for it – at the moment, they don’t carry it on the Beach Camera website.

Ease of Use

Let’s face it – we all use Amazon. We’re familiar with the site, how to use it, how to check out – everything is where it should be, and everything works every time. It’s comfortable. And it’s fast!

On the beachcamera.com website, that’s not exactly the case. If you want to sort by brand, and then by price, it doesn’t work. You’re left sorting through a bunch of results. Different brands, different categories, etc.

And if you try searching for a specific product, sometimes they load, other times they don’t. You’re left wanting much more functionality than they are able to deliver.

Amazon Authority

3rd party sellers who sell on Amazon, want to remain in good standing with Amazon. As a seller, you have to meet very strict selling guidelines. You have to maintain a minimum performance rate in order to keep selling on Amazon. On top of that, you also want to receive positive feedback for all transactions.

In other words, you have to ship by the guaranteed ship by date, you have to deliver the item as described, and you have to process timely refunds (if they are initiated). You can’t take any liberties that you might on your own website.

You are pretty much guaranteed a consistently positive purchase every time you order something on Amazon. You can’t say the same about other websites or merchants.

Trade In

Did you know that Amazon will buy your used camera gear (as well as other electronics)? Whether you have an old camera, watch, tv, tablet, etc., you can go to the Amazon Trade-In page, and get an instant quote on your old electronics. You just answer a few questions, like what condition the item is in, what accessories you have, etc., and Amazon will send you a label. You ship it to them, and they will send you an Amazon gift card that you can apply toward your next purchase(s).

When I traded in my old Nikon D3400, I received $275 for it. That was almost half the price of the new camera I was purchasing. I probably could have gotten a few dollars more by selling it on eBay, but I liked the fact that I didn’t have to list it myself, wait for a buyer, deal with questions, etc.

Final Thoughts

Whichever way you decide to make your purchase, you can feel confident buying from Beach Camera. They are an authorized seller of all the brands that they carry. You will never receive grey market goods from Beach Camera.

If you are unfamiliar with the term “grey market”, it basically means products that are sold by an unauthorized seller. Grey market can include counterfeits, defects, blemishes, international versions, etc. These products do not carry the original manufacturer’s warranty (even if the seller states that they do). Stay safe – purchase from an authorized dealer!

Having been in business since 1991, Beach Camera has had a long selling history, both online, and in retail locations in New Jersey. Beach Camera has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 06/18/1999. Currently, they do have an A rating with the BBB.